The White Stuff: Liddington, February 7th 2009

I've really got to thank Richard Bungay, who I think felt sorry for me in a 20+ mph, off to the west icy wind on top of Combe Gibbett and led the way to Liddington, a site I've never visited before, where word was out that the tvhgc were flying. On the occasions I've visited Thames Valley sites the members of this club are so friendly and welcoming - and this was no exception. But wow! The hillside was up to a foot or so deep in fresh, crisp snow. All sorts of folks were out - sledging, skiing, snowboarding and generally making the most of a beautiful winter's day. Playtime in the snow. There were even ariel snowball fights, and at the end tired smiling faces, ready for hot drinks and looking back on a memorable day.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• paragliding

[janeqmx]

Nice video, what is the best wind direction for this slope - seems like a north?

[parateddy]

Thank you. Liddington takes a northwesterly. During the spring and summer it can get very thermic and you can have some great climbs and xc opportunities. Don't fly it if the wind's off to the north - you'll get a lot of strength but no lift to speak of and a lot of turbulence which can spank you into the ground. When the wind's square on it's sweet. Nice aerial views, including crop circles from time to time. Great site to go to if Combe Gibbet is blown out.

[Flyboyuk40]

What a nice video! I agree about the camera quality, I'll have to hunt one of these down methinks. It was good to see you on the Lidd today!

[parateddy]

Many thanks Mark and thanks for pointing me at your video of Col de Bleyne. I'm hoping those extra few miles south in May to the Maritime Alps will make for more dependable flying. I never expected those big thermals rolling in from the fields after such a choppy start when the wind was off to the north, but really impressed by what the Lidd can do.

[anitahaf]

great video! bright colours and so clear... cool flying as well :-)

[parateddy]

Thank you. We rarely get days with snow like this so it was great to get out in it. I was surprised at the buoyancy of the air ......... the wind was just right on the slope. Fascinated by your Iceland clips.

[parateddy]

Thanks. I've used an Oregon Scientific helmet cam for previous movies but this is the first time I've used a Go-Pro Hero helmet cam. I like the way the 170 degree field of view captures all the other flyers and seems to make movement more dynamic. Hope to see you out there on a Kent or Sussex site too.

[parateddy]

Likewise Reech ...... I have been as far west as Milk Hill from my nest in SE London, but never quite Westbury. It was great seeing you having all that fun in the snow too and really liked your video.

[Reechforthesky]

Looks like fun! Been thinking of going to Lidd quite a few times but alwyas gone elsewhere! See you on a hill.

[LJF]

Excellent stuff mate! You use a head mount cam?

Wish I'd been out that day, maybe see you out on DFHGC site some time.

L